Chargers to open season against Jaguars

Chargers to open season against Jaguars

SAN DIEGO – The Chargers will play their season opener today at Qualcomm Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars amid continued uncertainty over their future in San Diego.

Measure C on the city’s November ballot would increase the tax on hotel rooms to pay for the public contribution toward the estimated $1.8 billion cost of the building a downtown stadium to house the Chargers and a convention center annex.

The measure will probably need the customarily difficult two-thirds majority to pass, with slight uncertainty created by an unrelated court case elsewhere in the state.

If the measure fails, the Chargers could exercise the option the NFL gave them to join the Los Angeles Rams in playing in a stadium in Inglewood in Los Angeles County set to open in 2019.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Chargers will wear white jerseys with white pants for their home opener and are asking fans to dress in white in what the team annually dubs “White Hot Sunday.”

“I think the guys, as players, enjoy wearing white because it is a change up for us and seeing the stadium all white on our first home game is exciting,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.

“Coming off a tough one last week, we are going to need it to be a great atmosphere and we are going to come out and get the win.â€

The Chargers have won three of their past four home openers while wearing white jerseys and white pants, including a 33-28 victory over the Detroit Lions last season.

The Chargers wear navy blue jerseys with white pants for most of their home games. The NHL’s Winnipeg Jets in 1987 became the first professional team to ask fans to dress in white.

Fans will receive a White Hot Sunday Roller Banner as they enter the stadium.

The Chargers opened the season last Sunday with a 33-27 overtime loss at Kansas City, squandering a 21-point third-quarter lead.

The Qualcomm Stadium parking lot will open at 9 a.m. for the 1:25 p.m. game and is expected to reach capacity by 11:30 a.m. Fans are encouraged to carpool, arrive early or take the San Diego Trolley to get to the stadium.

Fans are encouraged to research alternative traffic routes. Interstate 15 is the most congested traffic route to Qualcomm Stadium.

Fans should arrive at the stadium gates by 12:25 p.m. to be in their seats in time for kickoff.

The Metropolitan Transit System will begin increased trolley service at 9 a.m.

Fans are strongly encouraged to travel early as trains will be crowded or at capacity after noon. Passengers attempting to board trains after noon should expect delays as trains reach capacity at stations closest to the stadium.

UC San Diego Blue Line passengers can transfer to the Green Line at the 12th & Imperial Station. Orange Line passengers can transfer at either 12th & Imperial or Grossmont.